Episode 3 recap: Murong Xuanlie Personally Interrogates Mei Lin
In Episode 3, after Mu Rong Jing He returns from Qingzhou, he seems drained of all spirit, drowning his sorrows in alcohol every day. Although he harbors resentment toward his brother Mu Rong Xuan Lie, he must maintain the facade of brotherly harmony. Mu Rong Xuan Lie frequently visits, feigning concern while secretly probing into Mu Rong Jing He’s affairs.
Mu Rong Jing He is fully aware of the situation; the fire in Qingzhou surely has ties to the Crown Prince. The events surrounding the fire are complex. The Wei Bei army is known for its strict discipline and never harms the innocent, yet someone has exploited this to incite the populace to attack the military camp. Deputy Commander Yang Donghu sacrificed himself to protect Mu Rong Jing He, leaving him with severe leg injuries.
In the dead of night, Mu Rong Jing He privately honors those soldiers who died for their country, igniting an unquenchable flame within him to seek justice for their deaths. Meanwhile, Mei Lin is also burdened with worries. She looks at the ink vein mark on her arm and remembers the orders from the dark factory owner. The fire in Qingzhou seems to conceal a larger secret, placing her in a dilemma: should she continue her mission or abandon it? Just then, the arrival of Princess Zi Gu feels like a ray of sunshine in her troubled world.
Princess Zi Gu’s optimism allows Mei Lin to temporarily forget her worries and strengthens her resolve. On the other hand, in the Western Yan Kingdom, Prince Yue Qin rushes to the capital upon hearing that his sister has arrived. Unexpectedly, he catches a glimpse of Mei Lin in the crowd. Though it is only a fleeting sight, he recognizes the woman who once helped him during the chaos of war.
Yue Qin develops feelings for Mei Lin but, as a hostage in Da Yan due to the ongoing conflict, he finds himself in a complicated situation. Their reunion in Zhao Jing stirs mixed emotions within him. At the royal banquet, Princess Zi Gu is honored as Yan Fei and moves into the Fanghua Palace. In an attempt to win the hearts of the nobles, Mu Rong Qian rewards beautiful women to various lords.
Seizing the opportunity, Mu Rong Xuan Lie requests Mei Lin from Mu Rong Qian, hoping to gather intelligence. In a moment of desperation, Mu Rong Jing He stands from his wheelchair, declaring his affection for Mei Lin and pulling her tightly into his embrace. This unexpected display shocks everyone present.
Mei Lin seizes the moment to whisper to Mu Rong Jing He, proposing a collaboration using a fake token as bait, betting that he is not the true culprit behind the Qingzhou fire and is willing to clear his name. Before she finishes speaking, she swiftly stabs a hairpin toward Mu Rong Jing He. Luckily, he is wearing soft armor, sustaining only a minor injury.
This act delights Mu Rong Qian, who believes his son has regained his health, while Mu Rong Xuan Lie feels an unprecedented threat. Mu Rong Jing He purposefully feigns weakness, assigning the case of Mei Lin's assassination to Mu Rong Xuan Lie for interrogation.
During the interrogation, Mu Rong Xuan Lie is astonished to discover that Mei Lin is a loyal servant of the Ink Veins, causing him to doubt Zhang Yin's loyalty. Meanwhile, Mu Rong Jing He subtly hints at Zhang Yin's greedy nature, suggesting that the Crown Prince may abandon him in times of peril.
Mei Lin is imprisoned in a dark cell and subjected to torture. Believing she will die there, she finds renewed hope for survival upon seeing a flower stubbornly growing through a crack in the stone. Mu Rong Jing He, moved by Mei Lin's resilience, decides to secretly protect her from Zhang Yin's lethal intentions.
This turmoil reveals everyone’s true colors. The collaboration between Mu Rong Jing He and Mei Lin quietly begins. Will they uncover the truth behind the Qingzhou fire and seek justice for the innocent soldiers? All remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: no matter how difficult the road ahead, they will not easily give up.
Comments(Episode 3)